Now all we need is some free time so we can chill out in the garden and take in the view....
Paul.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Our New Roses
We've been planting loads of new rose bushes since about March onwards which have started flowering over the last week or so. Debbie has been out in the garden capturing the summer colours have started coming though.....
Now all we need is some free time so we can chill out in the garden and take in the view....
Paul.
Now all we need is some free time so we can chill out in the garden and take in the view....
Paul.
Monday, June 12, 2006
So Long BT Broadband
After being with BT Internet/Broadband for the last 7 years, we've jumped ship and gone with Talk Talk. The new modem from Carphone Warehouse arrived on Friday and I set about installing the new software straight away.
After the last debacle trying to load broadband software, I should have known to back everything up but, alas, in the eagerness to get the new connection set up, I didn't. Then minutes into the installation, after prompting to remove Zone Alarms and installing it's own security software, it all went Pete Tong. The PC rebooted but wouldn't start properly, the desktop was there but it just froze. We tried a partial restore which would have kept the photos we've taken since February but that failed, then we tried a full restore from the master disk but that failed too.
Thankfully, we did sign up for cover with PC World and a phone call on Saturday morning resulted in the problem being sorted out in about 10 minutes. All our files were gone but at least the PC came back to life. I loaded the Talk Talk software again and this time, when the question came up asking to install their security software, I ticked the box "Not your bloody life matey".
Everything then went smoothly and we are now up and running on Talk Talk Broadband. With the PC sorted, on with the planned tasks for the weekend, cutting the branches from the old tree in to manageable lengths to take to the tip. I managed to do this for about an hour before admitting default in the blazing sunshine, it was just too darn hot.
Sunday was just as hot so very little branch cutting went on, just some relaxing under the parasol on the lawn. Even Lucy, who is a proper sun worshipper, kept in the shade all day and the three amigos stayed close by the house, popping in for a cool down every so often while we both drank about a gallon of water each!
Thunderstorms are forecast for today, hopefully it'll be a little bit cooler tonight, if not, I think we should buy a tent and sleep in the garden!
Paul.
After the last debacle trying to load broadband software, I should have known to back everything up but, alas, in the eagerness to get the new connection set up, I didn't. Then minutes into the installation, after prompting to remove Zone Alarms and installing it's own security software, it all went Pete Tong. The PC rebooted but wouldn't start properly, the desktop was there but it just froze. We tried a partial restore which would have kept the photos we've taken since February but that failed, then we tried a full restore from the master disk but that failed too.
Thankfully, we did sign up for cover with PC World and a phone call on Saturday morning resulted in the problem being sorted out in about 10 minutes. All our files were gone but at least the PC came back to life. I loaded the Talk Talk software again and this time, when the question came up asking to install their security software, I ticked the box "Not your bloody life matey".
Everything then went smoothly and we are now up and running on Talk Talk Broadband. With the PC sorted, on with the planned tasks for the weekend, cutting the branches from the old tree in to manageable lengths to take to the tip. I managed to do this for about an hour before admitting default in the blazing sunshine, it was just too darn hot.
Sunday was just as hot so very little branch cutting went on, just some relaxing under the parasol on the lawn. Even Lucy, who is a proper sun worshipper, kept in the shade all day and the three amigos stayed close by the house, popping in for a cool down every so often while we both drank about a gallon of water each!
Thunderstorms are forecast for today, hopefully it'll be a little bit cooler tonight, if not, I think we should buy a tent and sleep in the garden!
Paul.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Busy Bees
What with being on a course, then on holiday, getting Sky+, Big Brother starting, Dad getting a puppy, shopping for laminate flooring, working on our garden and doing a spot of tree felling for friends, we just haven't had a minute to post anything.
While we try to get our breath back, here's a picture of Lucy enjoying the garden last week as the sun finally came out to play.
Paul.
While we try to get our breath back, here's a picture of Lucy enjoying the garden last week as the sun finally came out to play.
Paul.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Rain, Rain and yet more RAIN
Hi Folks
Sorry its been a while, been a bit busy working our socks off as usual.....
With all this rain we are having the garden is looking fantastic, plants are coming up that we did not know that we had. As well as us doing some more planting, the grass has shot up in the last week, just carnt wait to cut it and get me garden furniture out, but Paulie says I have to be patient, which is not one of my stong points!!
We are off next week for a well earned rest, did I say rest!! Well lets just say that we are off work, so the week will be full of exciting things to do....
In the week I did manage to get out in the garden with my pjs on and me coat in the pouring rain to catch the garden at dusk and boy Im glad I did as I got some wonderfull shots, lets hope you like them as must as we do!!
Debbie
Sorry its been a while, been a bit busy working our socks off as usual.....
With all this rain we are having the garden is looking fantastic, plants are coming up that we did not know that we had. As well as us doing some more planting, the grass has shot up in the last week, just carnt wait to cut it and get me garden furniture out, but Paulie says I have to be patient, which is not one of my stong points!!
We are off next week for a well earned rest, did I say rest!! Well lets just say that we are off work, so the week will be full of exciting things to do....
In the week I did manage to get out in the garden with my pjs on and me coat in the pouring rain to catch the garden at dusk and boy Im glad I did as I got some wonderfull shots, lets hope you like them as must as we do!!
Debbie
Thursday, May 04, 2006
We Have Grass!
Last week, the first few blades of grass started poking through the soil and the new lawns have now really got a spurt on in the warmer weather.
The lower lawn is taking a little longer to get going, hopefully the bare patches will start to fill in soon. I was out watering the lawns for ages last night in preparation for the hottest day of the year so far forecast for today.
The upper lawn seems to be fairing better and it shouldn't be long before those brown patches disappear.
We've left the far side of the lawn to grow wild, we've sewn loads of wild flower seeds which are just starting to pop up here and there. The flower bed on the near side has also been sewn with Canada Green Grass Seed but just the normal one, the lawns were done with seed and feed which might explain why they're doing so well.
Paul.
This was the scene just 8 days ago...
And this is the scene today!
The lower lawn is taking a little longer to get going, hopefully the bare patches will start to fill in soon. I was out watering the lawns for ages last night in preparation for the hottest day of the year so far forecast for today.
The upper lawn seems to be fairing better and it shouldn't be long before those brown patches disappear.
We've left the far side of the lawn to grow wild, we've sewn loads of wild flower seeds which are just starting to pop up here and there. The flower bed on the near side has also been sewn with Canada Green Grass Seed but just the normal one, the lawns were done with seed and feed which might explain why they're doing so well.
Paul.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Heartache
A short while ago we were forced to make a really difficult decision. Lollypop got a bite mark under his eye and Sasha a bite mark on the side of her head, only nips but enough to worry about with them left on their own for long periods. Lollypop was getting worse at chasing and pinning down Misty and Sasha was picking up this trait. Worrying at what we might come home to one day we sat down and thought about all the possible options and decided that the best thing to do for the dogs welfare was to have them re-homed.
On the Saturday before last, we took them back to the re-homing centre where we originally adopted them and fought back the tears while we went through the paper work. Leading Sasha and Lollypop down to the kennels was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, Lollypop was jumping about like a nutter as normal but Sasha was frantically looking around for Debbie who was hid behind our car sobbing her heart out.
We feel as guilty as hell, not only for taking them back but for thinking we could cope with more than one dog and especially adopting Sasha earlier this year. We've been used to telling Lollypop to get down every 10 seconds and telling either Lolly or Sasha to put the cat down. Saturday night was awful, Lucy was as a loss as to what to do in the peace and quiet and we couldn't help but mull over what we had done and questioned our decision all night.
Sunday brought a new sunnny day, in the afternoon we all sat out in the garden, Eric was off on his travels as usual but Misty was laid out on the steps and Toddy felt safe enough to sprawl out in the flower bed with Lucy, batting the odd bumble bee as it buzzed by.
We're sure we've made the right decision, adamant now that Lucy will be an only and spoilt little dog for the rest of her days.
Paul.
On the Saturday before last, we took them back to the re-homing centre where we originally adopted them and fought back the tears while we went through the paper work. Leading Sasha and Lollypop down to the kennels was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, Lollypop was jumping about like a nutter as normal but Sasha was frantically looking around for Debbie who was hid behind our car sobbing her heart out.
We feel as guilty as hell, not only for taking them back but for thinking we could cope with more than one dog and especially adopting Sasha earlier this year. We've been used to telling Lollypop to get down every 10 seconds and telling either Lolly or Sasha to put the cat down. Saturday night was awful, Lucy was as a loss as to what to do in the peace and quiet and we couldn't help but mull over what we had done and questioned our decision all night.
Sunday brought a new sunnny day, in the afternoon we all sat out in the garden, Eric was off on his travels as usual but Misty was laid out on the steps and Toddy felt safe enough to sprawl out in the flower bed with Lucy, batting the odd bumble bee as it buzzed by.
We're sure we've made the right decision, adamant now that Lucy will be an only and spoilt little dog for the rest of her days.
Paul.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
A Different Garden
As promised, here a few snaps of the garden we took over the Easter weekend.
Paul
Paul getting stuck in with the garden.
Lucy keeping out of way of mad man with rake.
The tet a tete daffodils are looking great in the boarder.
The garden is already looking much better.
We’ve seeded all this area, all we now is some grass to grow!
Toddy getting in some early garden relaxation.
Paul
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
Sewing Yer Wild Oats
Well, not oats actually but grass seed! Yes, despite bank holiday weather of old, this year the weather actually picked up for the duration of the holiday and the soil was perfect for turning. We got everything turned over and raked on Friday then on Saturday we finally got the grass seed down. With four bags of Canadian grass seed, we thought we would have enough to do the garden twice over but we only managed to get the lawns themselves covered.
As well as the grass seed, we've sewn a whole load of mixed wild flower seed on one side of the lawn, while on the other side we're sticking with mostly roses. With any luck, our wild border will become a haven for bees and butterflies come summer. We picked up a load more bedding plants on Sunday which have added a little bit more colour to the garden. We also got the bricks from one side of the lawn removed and the roses border raked in preparation for our cunning plan....
On Monday we managed to get two more bags of Canadian grass seed from Argos of all places and then we had to rush off to PC World to help Dad choose a computer. This turned into a right old farce with things being part of the package and then suddenly not included. We got there in the end though and Dad will be let loose on a computer very soon.... we're expecting one or too phone calls lol.
In the afternoon, I executed our cunning plan, sewing grass seed on the roses border. The plan is to let it grow and then cut circles or squares out round the roses, this should protect the border from unruly dogs and make it much easier to manage. All we need now is plenty of sunshine and showers to get things moving then the current mud bath should be replaced by lovely green grass in a couple of weeks time.
Paul.
As well as the grass seed, we've sewn a whole load of mixed wild flower seed on one side of the lawn, while on the other side we're sticking with mostly roses. With any luck, our wild border will become a haven for bees and butterflies come summer. We picked up a load more bedding plants on Sunday which have added a little bit more colour to the garden. We also got the bricks from one side of the lawn removed and the roses border raked in preparation for our cunning plan....
On Monday we managed to get two more bags of Canadian grass seed from Argos of all places and then we had to rush off to PC World to help Dad choose a computer. This turned into a right old farce with things being part of the package and then suddenly not included. We got there in the end though and Dad will be let loose on a computer very soon.... we're expecting one or too phone calls lol.
In the afternoon, I executed our cunning plan, sewing grass seed on the roses border. The plan is to let it grow and then cut circles or squares out round the roses, this should protect the border from unruly dogs and make it much easier to manage. All we need now is plenty of sunshine and showers to get things moving then the current mud bath should be replaced by lovely green grass in a couple of weeks time.
Paul.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Checking Technorati
It's not often we check out Technorati these days and even less often that we don't get a message saying the server is busy, try again later. To that end, I would think that we've only managed to look to see if anyone new has linked to us on about two occasions in the last year or so.
We were pleasantly surprised today to find that not only did we actually get to see a list of links, but also found that two new blogs have linked to us!
So, in time honoured tradition we would like to offer a big thank you to Mea Culpa and Enchanting Fairy for linking to us
If you've linked to us and we're not linking to you, it's probably because we've no idea so please do let us know and we'll link right back to you :-)
Paul.
We were pleasantly surprised today to find that not only did we actually get to see a list of links, but also found that two new blogs have linked to us!
So, in time honoured tradition we would like to offer a big thank you to Mea Culpa and Enchanting Fairy for linking to us
If you've linked to us and we're not linking to you, it's probably because we've no idea so please do let us know and we'll link right back to you :-)
Paul.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Buds In The Garden
Our website photo album is now up to date, it's been quite a marathon getting all the pictures on there but it's been worth it to make sure they're always available to view. Now we can start creating more new pages and post just a little bit more often on here!
We had a busy weekend with Debbie's Sister and family coming over on Saturday and Dad coming over on Sunday. It's just as well we had guests and had already abandoned the idea of doing any gardening as we had rain, hail, sleet, snow and frost.
The garden is starting to spring into life though, the unseasonable weather doesn't seem to be affecting the daffodils too much and other flowers around the garden are now staring to bud after their winter break. Lets just hope the weather picks up for the Easter break and just maybe, we'll get the new lawns down before September!
Paul.
We had a busy weekend with Debbie's Sister and family coming over on Saturday and Dad coming over on Sunday. It's just as well we had guests and had already abandoned the idea of doing any gardening as we had rain, hail, sleet, snow and frost.
The garden is starting to spring into life though, the unseasonable weather doesn't seem to be affecting the daffodils too much and other flowers around the garden are now staring to bud after their winter break. Lets just hope the weather picks up for the Easter break and just maybe, we'll get the new lawns down before September!
Daffodils doing well in the garden.
Lucy being nosey.
Snow falling on Sunday afternoon.
Sasha, Lucy and Lollypop flat out after all the excitement of visitors.
Lucy playing with her toy in the late afternoon sunshine.
Sunset on Sunday.
The beams of red light were quite unusual.
Paul.
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